Anambra state under the administration of Governor Willie Obiano has reached its target of 210, 000 metric tonnes of rice production per annum of achieving self-sufficiency in rice production.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Afam Mbanefo, made the disclosure at a Commodity Alliance Forum/Consultative meeting organised by the state Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in Awka.

The commissioner recalled that the state government had earlier targeted 210, 000 metric tonnes of rice production per annum.

“Based on the calculation of our expected yields, we are expecting to realise over 236, 000 metric tonnes of rice in 2016 based on the production capacity.’’

Mbanefo said the calculation was based on all the expected yields of 35 per cent of over 14, 300 farmers and the activities of programmes like the VCDP and FADAMA.

He said the expected yield also included the activities of rice investors in the state including Coscharis farms, Joseph Agro and others.

Earlier, the National Programme Coordinator for VCDP, Mr Ameh Onoja, represented by Mr Basil Esinulo,said the aim of the programme was to assist the Federal Government to reduce spending on the importation of rice.

According to him, the overall goal is to ensure that rural poverty is reduced and to ensure accelerated economic growth is achieved on a sustainable and inclusive basis.